Rationality and Perception

The theme of Rationality is presented quite a few times throughout the novel, Authority. Control comes to Southern Reach to impart some 'control' over what has been deemed an inefficient use of governmental dollars. However, all of the characteristics that have worked for him in the past, such as organization, hierarchy, and manipulation, don't work. Lastly, there is no rational explanation for many of the things that he continues to discover.

For example, the archaic writing on the wall inside of a closet in his office, defies translation. Not even the linguist can make sense of it. She suggests to Control that the language is undecipherable because the words, themselves, are only half of the meaning. This is not rational at all, Control concedes.

Then there is the potted plant that Control finds in his drawer. According to Grace, the plant could not be...